How To Do Christmastime in NYC Like a Pro
/Christmastime in New York City!!
It really IS “the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!” I absolutely love the holiday season and there is nowhere better to bask in the holiday cheer than NYC. Read on for my favorite ways to get festive in the city this winter!
IN MANHATTAN
the Rockefeller Center Tree
Everyone MUST go see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree at least once. Yes it can be cold and crowded, but you must see the tree if you truly want to celebrate Christmas in New York. If you’re really feeling brave, come by for the official tree-lighting ceremony happening on the evening of December 4th. Otherwise, I recommend doing a fairly quick stop over - day or night - while also viewing all the beautiful holiday windows along Fifth Avenue. PS Your kids will enjoy a stop into FAO Schwarz conveniently located right next to the tree.
Fifth Avenue Window Shopping
Right near Rock Center, don’t miss the many beautifully decorated windows along Fifth Avenue - particularly at Saks or Bergdorf Goodman. Both luxury department stores curate gorgeous holiday displays every year. As you walk up Fifth from Saks to Bergdorf, you’ll see plenty more festive décor (and crowds). For example, each December, the Cartier Flagship Mansion gets decked in a huge red bow. It’s iconic New York. Fair warning though, Saks announced that it would NOT be doing its light show this year - sadness.
Urbanspace Holiday Markets
The weather is usually still crisp and warm enough in November and early December to be outside. On a nice day or early evening, it’s lots of fun to roam through one of the three Urbanspace Holiday Markets that pop up in Manhattan during the holiday season.
Located at Columbus Circle (through December 31st), Bryant Park (through January 2nd) and Union Square (through Christmas Eve), these markets feature artisan merchants selling festive gifts for your holiday shopping list, as well as all kinds of eats to give you the fuel that you need to shop.
Bryant Park is also home each winter to the Bank of America Winter Village, which includes a FREE pop up ice skating rink, a rink-side food court and a whole lot of winter themed events and activities.
grand central holiday fair and ny transit museum annex
I have been a regular commuter out of GCT for 16 long years now and in that time, the iconic landmark train station has really solidified a place in my heart. Come November, commuters and New Yorkers alike can visit GCT for the Grand Central Holiday Fair. And while there, be sure to visit New York Transit Museum’s FREE Holiday Train Show!
assorted festive restaurants and bars
Each year it seems more and more holiday decorated establishments pop up in an effort to grab some festive holiday cash. Some are family friendly wonderlands, while others are places where it would be totally appropriate to show up in a sexy Santa costume.
Perhaps the absolute O.G. of all things Christmas festive, Rolf’s German Restaurant in Kips Bay, stays decorated for Christmas all year round. Rolf’s has been dominating the holiday festive scene since the early 1980s, and it still only takes reservations by phone. While they keep their holiday decor up year round, Christmastime is especially busy at Rolf’s.
An easy alternative to Rolf’s is the suite of restaurants comprised of Lillie’s Victorian Establishment, Papillon Bistro and Oscar Wilde. These sister spots, mostly located in and around Midtown East (though there is a Lillie’s in Union Square), get decked out for every holiday, and Christmastime is no exception. It’s a lot of fun, though expect mid, pricey food.
If you prefer your holiday spirit in liquid form, Manhattan offers everything from the grittier Miracle on 9th Street to the cheesier Mariah Carey’s Black Irish Holiday Bar this Christmas season. Speaking of cheesy, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t interested in subjecting myself to Times Square to check out Frosty’s Christmas Bar.
Macy’s Herald Square Santaland
Sure there are Santa sightings all over the city (Ugh SantaCon) but the real Santa(s) live at Macy’s Santaland! I grew up visiting Santaland each Christmas, so it will forever hold a special place in my heart. But even if it’s brand new to you, Macy’s Herald Square flagship is wonderful around the holidays.
During the holiday season, the entire 8th floor of Macy’s Herald Square (151 West 34th) is transformed into a winter wonderland called Santaland, that includes a FREE visit with Santa that is like no other. In the past, the lines to meet Santa here could get atrocious, but Macy’s now offers advanced reservations in New York. Santa is only accessible by advanced reservation for a pre-set time slot online. Spots can be reserved up to 5 days in advance of your visit. Santa arrives this year on November 29th.
Guests can join the line for Santa at their reserved time. And don’t worry, there are plenty of festive landscapes to enchant you while you wait. The path toward Santa is filled with beautiful holiday displays known as Santaland Village.
IN BROOKLYN
Dyker Lights
If MASSIVE Christmas lights displays are what you’re after, head to Dyker Heights, Brooklyn for the neighborhood’s famous holiday light displays (aka Dyker Lights). For over 30 years, tons of visitors flock to this section of Brooklyn in the month of December to gawk at the crazy Christmas lights and decorative displays put on by homeowners and professionals in the area. Each year, neighbors aim to outdo themselves and their fellow neighbors. There are even bus transportation and guided tours nowadays. Many houses shut off their lights around 9pm so try to arrive on the earlier side to ensure you’ll see everything and to get a head start on the massive crowds. We did this in 2019 via a bus tour and it was orderly and super fun.
LIGHTSCAPE
For a few years now the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has become illuminated after dark each holiday season via Lightscape, an enchanting trail animated by over a million lights and a curated soundtrack of tunes. I absolutely loved this event and I would suggest it to any art enthusiast or any adult looking for out of the box holiday cheer. The kids were confused by the lack of inflatable Santas at Lightscape, but, as an adult, I was blown away by everything I saw. Catch Lightscape on select evenings through January 5, 2025.
IN THE BRONX
NYBG Holiday Train Show
My beloved New York Botanical Garden is home to the world famous Holiday Train Show. This event delights hundreds of thousands of visitors each holiday season with beautiful working toy trains and NY-centric scenery. Timed entries to the show are offered daily through January 20th. Guests of all ages will enjoy the train show. My favorite part is viewing all the models of famous New York City buildings.
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
Holiday Lights returns to the Bronx Zoo again for Holidays 2024. Sort of like a winter version of Boo at the Zoo, there will be plenty of fun and festive activities at Holiday Lights, but this time all taking place after regular zoo hours. Sing along with Roaming Carolers, board the Holiday Train, watch professional ice carvers delight crowds and of course, witness tons of illuminated animal shaped lanterns and lights. Holiday Lights takes place weekends in November and then daily through January 5, 2025, excluding Christmas and Christmas Eve.
Wishing you the happiest of holidays!
